Download Space Exploration: Robots and Humans

NASA and Robotic
Space Exploration
Caitlin Nolby
Space Studies Department, UND
North Dakota Space Grant Consortium
What is a Robot?
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A mechanical device that:
 Operates at a distance (remotely).
 Operates automatically (autonomous) or by
remote control (tele-operated).
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NASA definition: a machine that is built to do a
certain job again and again, or to do work that
might be dangerous for humans
Robots in Movies
The Iron Giant
Bumblebee Transformers
R2D2 & C3PO – Star Wars
WALL-E
Rodney, Robots
Rosie - The Jetsons
NASA Robots
Canadarm, ISS
Mars Curiosity
Cassini
Robonaut, ISS
New Horizons
Mars 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nAhag_iFx0
Mars 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-X8acD_r38
International Space Station
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In-orbit construction began 1998
Continuously crewed since
November 2000
Space Shuttle missions delivered
equipment and parts
Orbits the Earth at 230 miles up,
(~Fargo to Minneapolis)
One orbit every 90 minutes
Karen Nyberg:
graduate of UND
Activity
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You and your crew are astronauts aboard the International
Space Station
Your recent shipment of cargo was hit by micrometeoroids
(tiny space rocks) and now your food and supplies are
floating everywhere!
In order to get your cargo, your team must build a robotic
arm with only the materials you have onboard before your
cargo drifts away!
How Teams Work at NASA
1.
2.
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5.
6.
Ask – What is our problem that needs to be solved?
Imagine – Brainstorm all possible answers!
Plan – Decide which ideas to try!
Create – Build your robot arm, and remember to work as a
team!
Experiment – Try out your design!
Improve – Change your design to make it better!
Future Space Exploration
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Manned mission to an asteroid?
Return to Moon?
Manned mission to Mars?
NASA Space Launch System (SLS),
Orion (Multi-purpose crew vehicle)